2017 Merrie Monarch’s Hula ‘Auana Competition

By Jamm Aquino

April 23, 2017
Updated on April 23, 2017 at 9:54 pm

Kumus Tracie, left, and Keawe Lopes of Ka La `Onohi Mai O Ha`eha`e hug their halau members after winning overall during the final night of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii.

Dancers of Ka La `Onohi Mai O Ha`eha`e react after winning overall during the final night of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii.

Kumus Tracie and Keawe Lopes of Ka La `Onohi Mai O Ha`eha`e walk off the stage after winning one of three awards, including overall, during the final night of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii.

Kumus Tracie and Keawe Lopes of Ka La `Onohi Mai O Ha`eha`e react upon receiving their award for wahine overall during the final night of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii.

Dancers with Ka La `Onohi Mai O Ha`eha`e, under the direction of Kumus Tracie and Keawe Lopes, dance to “Mauna Lahilahi” during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii.

Dancers with Halau Mohala `Ilima, under the direction of Kumu Mapuana de Silva, dance to “Hi’ilawe Song” during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii.

Dancers with Halau Kekuaokala`au`ala`iliahi, under the direction of Kumus Haunani and `Iliahi Paredes, dance to “Ke ‘Ala ‘Iliahi” during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii.

Dancers with Halau Kekuaokala`au`ala`iliahi, under the direction of Kumus Haunani and `Iliahi Paredes, dance to “Ke ‘Ala ‘Iliahi” during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii.

The men of Kawaili`ula, under the direction of Kumu Chinky Mahoe, dance to “Nani Mokapu” during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii.

Dancers with Halau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine, under the direction of Kumu Ka`ilihiwa Vaughan-Darval, dance to “Hanohano Hale’iwa” during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii.

The men of Halau Kekuaokala`au`ala`iliahi, under the direction of Kumus Haunani and `Iliahi Paredes, dance to “Honomuni” during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii.

Dancers with Halau Hula Olana, under the direction of Kumus Howard and Olana Ai, and Kumu Shelsea Ai Apana, dance to “Maika’i Ka Makani O Kohala” during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii.

Dancers with Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka, under the direction of Kumu Napua Greig, dance to “Maui Nani” during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii.

Dancers with Ka La `Onohi Mai O Ha`eha`e, under the direction of Kumus Tracie and Keawe Lopes, dance to “Mauna Lahilahi” during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii.

Dancers with Halau Manaola, under the direction of Kumu Nani Lim Yap, dance to “Po La’ila’i” during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii.

The men of Halau Hula `O Kahikilaulani, under the direction of Kumu Nahokuokalani Gaspang, dance to “Pua Kukui” during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii.

Dancers with Halau Mohala `Ilima, under the direction of Kumu Mapuana de Silva, dance to “Hi’ilawe Song” during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii.

The men of Ke Kai O Kahiki, under the direction of Kumu La`akea Perry, dance to “Nanakuli” during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii.

The men of Halau Kekuaokala`au`ala`iliahi, under the direction of Kumus Haunani and `Iliahi Paredes, dance to “Honomuni” during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii.

The men of Halau I Ka Wekiu, under the direction of Kumu Karl Veto Baker and Kumu Michael Lanakila Casupang, dance to "Ulili E" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

The men of Halau I Ka Wekiu, under the direction of Kumu Karl Veto Baker and Kumu Michael Lanakila Casupang, dance to "Ulili E" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

Dancers with Halau o Ka Hanu Lehua, under the direction of Kumu Kamaka Kukona, dance to "Ku'ulei Pikake" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

The men of Halau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine, under the direction of Kumu Ka'ilihiwa Vaughan-Darval, dance to "Kipu Kai" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

The men of Halau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine, under the direction of Kumu Ka'ilihiwa Vaughan-Darval, dance to "Kipu Kai" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

Dancers with Halau Hula 'O Kahikilaulani, under the direction of Kumu Nahokuokalani Gaspang, dance to "Mokuola" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

Dancers with Halau Hula 'O Kahikilaulani, under the direction of Kumu Nahokuokalani Gaspang, dance to "Mokuola" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

Dancers with Halau I Ka Wekiu, under the direction of Kumu Karl Veto Baker and Kumu Michael Lanakila Casupang, dance to "Aloha Aku, Aloha Mai" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

Dancers with Halau I Ka Wekiu, under the direction of Kumu Karl Veto Baker and Kumu Michael Lanakila Casupang, dance to "Aloha Aku, Aloha Mai" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

Dancers with Halau I Ka Wekiu, under the direction of Kumu Karl Veto Baker and Kumu Michael Lanakila Casupang, dance to "Aloha Aku, Aloha Mai" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

The men of Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lei Lehua, under the direction of Kumu Snowbird Puananiopaoakalani Bento, dance to "O'ahu A Kama" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

The men of Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lei Lehua, under the direction of Kumu Snowbird Puananiopaoakalani Bento, dance to "O'ahu A Kama" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

Dancers with Kawaili'ula, under the direction of Kumu Chinky Mahoe, dance to "Ka Leo Manu O Hawai'i" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

Dancers with Kawaili'ula, under the direction of Kumu Chinky Mahoe, dance to "Ka Leo Manu O Hawai'i" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

The men of Halau Hula 'o Napunaheleonapua, under the direction of Kumu Rich Pedrina, dance to "Na U'i O Kaua'i" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

The men of Halau Hula 'o Napunaheleonapua, under the direction of Kumu Rich Pedrina, dance to "Na U'i O Kaua'i" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

The men of Kawai'ulaokala, under the direction of Kumu Keli'iho'omalu Puchalski, dance to "Ka Paniolo Nui O Moloka'i" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

The men of Kawai'ulaokala, under the direction of Kumu Keli'iho'omalu Puchalski, dance to "Ka Paniolo Nui O Moloka'i" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

Dancers with Pukalani Hula Hale, under the direction of Kumu Hi'iLei Maxwell-Juan, dance to "Ala Pikake" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

Dancers with Pukalani Hula Hale, under the direction of Kumu Hi'iLei Maxwell-Juan, dance to "Ala Pikake" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

Dancers with Halau O Kauhionamauna, under the direction of Kumu Denise Kauhionamauna, dance to "Lei Kula Na Ali'i" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.

Dancers with Halau O Kauhionamauna, under the direction of Kumu Denise Kauhionamauna, dance to "Lei Kula Na Ali'i" during the Hula 'Auana competition of the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday.